Silver Star Theater

If you have never seen or heard Mark Lucas, you are in for a treat! Originally from Houston, TX, Mark Lucas has been a full-time Arizonan for over 30 years. Mark is a renowned guitarist (with a degree in classical guitar), a vocal chameleon (his many styles will astound you), and a witty comedian with hilarious timing and unique style. His blues background and soulful roots which began in Texas shine in every song he sings or plays, whether its Classic Country or Rock & Roll. You may have enjoyed Mark as he and his “Tortilla Flat Band” entertained visitors at Tortilla Flat on Canyon Lake. We are thrilled that he now brings his musicianship, style, and laser-focus to “The Rhythm Cats” and the shows he helps co-produce here at the Silver Star Theater. As always, the incredibly popular “Mark Lucas and the Wild Bunch” show features original material by Mark along with his special brand of humor. This season, you’ll be sure to enjoy the many talented sides of Mark Lucas.

Born and raised in Chicago, Michael studied at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and graduated from Indiana University as a woodwind major, but was equally involved playing bass guitar and string bass. You have heard Michael’s bass playing for years, even though you didn’t know it was him, as he was playing on commercials for major airlines, Coors, McDonalds, Sears and hundreds of other clients. With a background playing all styles of music, he backed up every major act and show performing in the Midwest and became a popular choice in the recording industry and has recorded more than 1,000 commercials, movie scores, HBO Specials and record dates. Michael started touring with top concert entertainers and shows in 1987, and was on the road continuously until 2007. He was honored to be “hand-picked” by Andrew Lloyd Webber to tour with his American concert tour playing Broadway shows CATS, Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables.

As a product of the “babyboomer” generation, Jeff ’s passion for music was greatly influenced by the Beatles in 1964. Jeff grew out his hair, rebelled against authority and bought a guitar. Mastering the bass guitar, he began his music career with the St. Louis band “Children” in 1976. After almost 20 years as a musician, playing with countless bands and travelng the U.S., Jeff decided to settle in Arizona. For the past 25 years, Arizona has had the good fortune and benefit of Jeff’s many musical talents and after all those years he’s still not only playing bass, but has added many other instruments and is still having fun! An average show will find him making the rounds from acoustic and electric guitar to bass to keyboards to mandolin and ukulele and, of course, his magnificent vocals. Truly a talented and versatile pro!

Born on the East Coast, in New York, Ed began drumming at age 11 with the Sea Cadets Drum and Bugle Corp. His family moved to Arizona when he was 13, and soon after, he started playing professionally in restaurants, dance clubs, and resort hotels at the young age of 17. For the last 30 years, Ed has performed throughout Arizona with Hank Thomson, song writer Dale Noe, Toby Keith and others at the grand re-opening of the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix. He recently backed up Lynn Anderson and has opened for such well-known artists as Willie Nelson, Dixie Chicks, Trace Atkins, Chris LeDoux Jerry Reed, Gene Watson, Kentucky Head Hunters, Mark Wills, Little Texas, Steve Wariner, Eddy Raven, Black Hawk, Aaron Tippin, Susie Bogguss, and Sawyer Brown.

Greg’s musical interest sparked at the young age of 5, when under his father’s instruction, he began playing along on the trumpet to Herb Alpert records. He continued learning and added the piano and guitar as he went on to earn his Bachelor’s in Music Performance at ASU. His career did not take long to begin, immediately following graduation, he landed a fulltime job as trumpeter with The Side Street Strutters at Disneyland while also touring the U.S. and Europe with that renowned group for over 21 years. Additionally, Greg has been a part of the Brian Setzer Orchestra and was also the other half of an acoustic duo with Nils Lofgren (lead guitarist with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band). Not only that, but Greg has been a professional tap dancer for over 20 years! Giving back to the community is important to Greg and since 2002, Greg has been the trombone instructor every summer at Teagarden Traditional Jazz Camp in California. The Silver Star is honored to have him join us as a key member of The Rhythm Cats!

Recognized as one of the world’s best Alpine yodelers, Kerry was raised on a potato farm in Grace, ID, and had to wander quite a distance to discover his passion–yodeling! A performer from the tender age of three, he has sung everything from western ballads to barbershop music. It was during his travels to Austria in 1976 however, that he discovered the folk music that would be his life. Armed with recordings of the great yodelers, Kerry returned from Europe, determined to master this ancient art–and he did. While driving the family tractor around and around the potato fields, he practiced 14-15 hours a day. His career really soared when Disney World hired him to work at the German Pavilion of the Epcot Center in 1984. After his experience as the Disney World Yodeler, Kerry, in 1990, headed out on his own and has had great success as one of only two or three professional, full-time yodelers in the United States. In the summers, you will find him at various German, Swiss, Austrian, Cowboy, Country, and Scandinavian festivals around the U.S. and Canada.

If you like a powerhouse voice that is equally astounding in a variety of different musical styles, then we are sure you will love listening to Jordan Bluth.  Trained classically, Jordan has the range, technique and power of an operatic tenor combined with a versatility that is rarely found among singers of his background. Be it jazz, pop, classical or Broadway, Jordan changes between musical styles with skill and ease while bringing pristine vocal clarity to every song he sings.

He has performed with many operatic and musical theatre companies across the United States, including Glimmerglass Opera, North Shore Music Theatre, Arizona Opera, and Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre Company.  Fans have also seen him in the regional tour of The Forgotten Carols, a production by award winning writer and composer Michael McLean.  He is frequently sought as a concert soloist, performing major oratorio works such as Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Great Mass in C Minor, as well as a guest artist with groups such as the Chautauqua Symphony, Tempe Wind Ensemble, and the Millennial Choir and Orchestra.  Additionally, Jordan has been a recording artist since releasing his self-titled debut album in 2006, which has earned him multiple award nominations at the FCMA Pearl Awards.  His latest album release, titled Wonder, is a collection of inspirational songs and sacred arias that stir a sense of wonderment and reverence in listeners.  You can also hear Jordan on recordings of other works, such as Lamb of God and The Price of Freedom.​

“D” to his fellow players, has graced international and national stages with his talent since 1983. Having professionally played a variety of musical styles from Broadway to Jazz, Funk to Blues, and Rock to R & B, “D” has an innate understanding of grooving. He has toured with George Benson and Jimmy Smith and he has also performed with Stevie Wonder, Marion Meadows, Joanie Sledge (of Sister Sledge), and Wynton Marsalis just no name a few. Additionally, D is a clinician at the Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences in Tempe and Gilbert, AZ, and also lays drum tracks for the Line 6 Amp Company.

From Cripple Creek, Colorado the son of a High School Band Director, Steve grew up in a musical family. He was the student conductor and recipient of the John Phillip Sousa Award in high school and earned his degree in music education from the University of Southern Colorado. Steve toured with dance bands during the 70’s, then moved to Arizona where he played with “Cosmo Topper”, “Prairie Rose” and other notable bands.

Steve also appeared in a major motion picture with Sally Fields and James Garner, “Murphy’s Romance.” He can play a variety of brass and woodwind instruments including: trumpet, trombone, mellophone, tuba, saxophones and clarinet. Steve has a very versatile voice and is well known in Arizona and Colorado for his Willie Nelson impersonation, he also does a great job on Johnny Cash and many other classic country artists.

Victoria is thrilled to be a part of Silver Star’s 2019-20 season and you will be thrilled that she brings her talent and energy here! Originally from New York, Victoria has been performing across the country and in Arizona for the past decade, including a tour with Grand Majestic Theatre (America’s Hit Parade) in Tennessee and Las Vegas. Additionally, Victoria was a part of the National Tour of Legally Blonde and sailed the high seas with Carnival Cruise Lines as the Lead Showband Vocalist onboard the M/S Inspiration! Other recent local credits include: The Man With The Pointed Toes, and Aida at Hale Center Theatre, Singing in The Rain at The Orpheum, The World Goes Round at Scottsdale Center of the Performing Arts, Chicago (Roxie–AriZoni nomination) at FHCT, The Music Man at The Orpheum, American Idiot at Stray Cat and Spelling Bee at Phoenix Theatre.